 Pumpkin is tasty and high in nutrients, making it an excellent human meal, but can cats eat pumpkin? Absolutely. Adding pumpkin to your cat's diet has several advantages, and your physician may even advise you to use pumpkin to help you some stomach disorders. Is pumpkin poisonous to cats? Absolutely not. In fact, it's a fantastic meal that most cats can consume without difficulty. Giving pumpkin to your cat can result in numerous key health advantages as long as you properly pick the pumpkin that you give him and gradually introduce it to him. As you painstakingly sort through the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch or the bin at the supermarket this month looking for the perfect carver, I'll bet you don't stop to think about your cat. Understandable, unless you're planning on carving an image of your cat's face into that perfect squash. But it's definitely time to start thinking about feeding your feline friend pumpkin. I'm not talking about pumpkin pie or pumpkin lattes, rather just plain old cooked pumpkin. Fix it with fiber. If your cooked pumpkin is packed with all the fiber it takes to relieve most cat's mild constipation, you'd better believe that your cat will prefer eating tasty pumpkin over using other constipation remedies, like enemas. The benefits that fiber adds to your cat's diet don't end with constipation relief, fiber can also help clear and prevent painful anal gland issues. Additionally, fiber moves hair through the digestive tract so that you can stop cleaning hairballs off of your floor. Also, fiber does more than just soothe your cat's bowels, it can also absorb excess fluid in the gut, relieving or at least reducing mild diarrhea. Waste away the weight. If you have a pleasantly plump kitty then you're probably are aware of how hard it is to promote weight loss. After all, it's near impossible to pump up her exercise plan, so weight loss in cats is based mostly on diet, something most kitties don't take kindly to. Pumpkin can help you with that. That healthy fiber that we've already talked about will help keep your dieting cat feeling satiated between meals with fewer calories than her normal cat food. Pumpkin can help your cat feel full. All that fiber in pumpkin makes your cat's food bulkier, and that means he feels fuller after he eats. This can be helpful for an overweight cat who needs to lose weight. Adding some pumpkin to your cat's meal means he gets plenty of nutrition, can help satisfy your cat's appetite so he doesn't feel the need to overeat or beg after his meal. Pumpkin is full of nutrients that are good for cats, too. It contains vitamins A and C, which together support your cat's immune system. There's also zinc in pumpkins, and that promotes a healthy coat and skin. Pumpkin is a nutritious food that makes a great meal topper or supplement to your cat's diet. Pumpkin packs a punch. That said, don't think that feeding pumpkin to your cat is just filling him with empty calories. In fact, pumpkin provides many healthy nutrients. Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, and E as well as calcium, iron, lutein, and beta-carotene. These nutrients are essential for healthy immune function, eyes, skin and coat, and are rich in antioxidants. While a high-quality cat food will provide all of these, those out there who are feeding their cats a raw or homemade diet may want to consider adding pumpkin as a source of these essential nutrients. In addition to the pumpkin flesh, pumpkin seeds can also be fed to cats. Be sure to clean, roast, and grind them for proper feeding. Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of omega fatty acids and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, so they make great supplements for cats that experience chronic urinary issues or even arthritis. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high-quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife, to get 20% off. Tips for feeding your cat pumpkin To start, make sure to buy plain canned pumpkins without any added sugars or spices, like you'd find in pumpkin pie filling. You might be wondering if you can feed bits of whole pumpkin to your cat. This usually isn't the most convenient way to give pumpkin, and it's important not to feed elements like the skin or pulp. Chances are, most of the pumpkin will go bad before you can feed the whole thing, so it's usually best to stick to canned pumpkin. Always refrigerate the leftover pumpkin between feedings. You can add pumpkin right on top of your cat's food, and most cats find pumpkin pretty tasty. It's best to introduce pumpkin slowly, adding just a teaspoon or two. As your cat gets used to the pumpkin, you may be able to add a little more. Definitely consult with your vet before making dietary changes, and only change your cat's diet gradually to avoid digestive upset. If your cat goes wild for pumpkin and you end up feeding a bit too much of it, he might experience some diarrhea. If this occurs, it's best to skip feeding him pumpkin for a few meals until your kitty's tummy returns to normal. Feeding pumpkin to your cat Hopefully, by now you're convinced to get your cat into pumpkin season with you this year. But you may be wondering, where to begin? It's not quite as simple as dumping a nice ripe pumpkin in your cat's food bowl, but it is almost that easy. Pumpkin straight out of the can is quick and easy for kitty. If you prefer to do it yourself, you can roast or steam your own pumpkin as well. Raw pumpkin works too, but is a little harder to eat and therefore less palatable. Avoid the stems, skin, and the stringy innards as well. Be sure that the canned pumpkin you get is not pumpkin pie filling with all the added seasonings and sugar. You want the pure, unsweetened stuff. You can start by feeding a couple of teaspoons a day, and if your cat tolerates and enjoys it you can up the quantity to roughly 20% of her daily food intake if you're trying to achieve weight loss. A tablespoon or two once to twice a day is enough to help with most constipation and diarrhea issues. Serving pumpkin to cats If your cat enjoys pumpkin, the best way to serve it is straight out of the can. Avoid any canned pumpkin products that contain added flavoring or sugars, especially if your cat has diabetes. You truly just want plain pumpkin, Myers says. A mix between 1 and 4 teaspoons of canned pumpkin with cat food one to two times a day. Your veterinarian can advise the specific quantity of pumpkin to serve, depending on your cat's condition. If your finicky cat refuses pumpkin, consult your veterinarian for alternatives. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, 1 to 4 teaspoons per meal of psyllium or 1 to 2 tablespoons of wheat bran can also be added to canned food as fiber supplements. As long as your cat is well hydrated, any of these additives may assist in treating constipation. Be sure to speak with your veterinarian first, before making any changes to your cat's diet. Risks of pumpkins for cats Pumpkin is a relatively easy and safe additive, Majolo assures. While it's unlikely that pumpkin will upset a cat's stomach, eating too much can possibly cause diarrhea. If this happens, it's best to skip the next serving or feed a smaller amount. Your veterinarian can advise you on how to modify the serving size, if symptoms occur. Keep in mind that you should not serve the stem, skin, or pulp of a pumpkin to your cat. These parts of the pumpkin simply don't have a high enough nutritional value to be beneficial for your cat. It is also best to avoid feeding leftover jack-o-lantern, as it may have rotted by sitting outside too long. Plain canned pumpkin is the best option for your pet and will stay fresh in the refrigerator up to about a week after opening. Even though your feline friend may not be able to have a bite of your Thanksgiving pie, there is definitely a place for plain pumpkin in his diet. Get your cat pumped about pumpkin. The benefits of pumpkin for your cat can be enjoyed with any member of the Fall Squash family so you may even choose to mix it up a bit during this season. As with any supplement or dietary additive, always consult your veterinarian before starting feeding. Pumpkin is a great natural addition to your cat's diet. It can help relieve minor digestive issues and promote weight loss. Most kitties love it as well just as much as we all love our pumpkin pie. If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. 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